RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Oil prices dipped slightly in Asian trading on Tuesday as market volatility eased and investors assessed the implications of the United States’ dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. While crude prices settled higher after a volatile session on Monday due to heightened geopolitical risk, uncertainty over Venezuela’s political future and global supply dynamics continued to cap gains.
Brent crude futures for March slipped 0.2% to $61.65 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 0.3% to $57.93 a barrel by 20:19 ET (01:19 GMT). A combination of profit-taking and a stronger U.S. dollar weighed on prices, with markets also grappling with the worst annual decline in oil prices in five years during 2025. Persistent concerns over a potential global supply glut in 2026 remain a key bearish factor for crude markets.
The geopolitical backdrop remains complex following Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces in Caracas, an operation confirmed by President Donald Trump and reportedly conducted without congressional approval. Maduro has pleaded not guilty to U.S. narcotics distribution charges and insists he remains Venezuela’s legitimate president. Meanwhile, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim president, though her stance toward the U.S. intervention remains unclear.
Trump has indicated that the U.S. will temporarily assume control of Venezuela and open its oil industry to major American energy companies. Analysts believe that, in theory, such a move could increase global oil supply and pressure crude prices over the long term. However, this outcome depends heavily on a peaceful political transition and the eventual lifting of U.S. sanctions—both of which appear uncertain.
ANZ analysts cautioned that political instability in Venezuela is likely to persist, keeping the risk of supply disruptions elevated in the short term. They also noted that instability and unclear U.S. governance plans could deter international oil companies from committing the substantial capital needed to revive Venezuela’s aging oil infrastructure. As a result, any meaningful increase in Venezuelan oil output is unlikely in the near term, leaving global oil markets focused on broader supply-demand balances and currency movements.
